ChatGPT expands health tools with Apple Health integration

OpenAI has begun a broader US rollout of ChatGPT Health, allowing eligible adult users to connect Apple Health and supported medical records to personalise health-related conversations.

With permission, ChatGPT can draw on information including medications, laboratory results, recent medical visits, sleep and physical activity. Users can ask the system to compare results over time, summarise changes since an appointment or help prepare questions for a healthcare professional.

Connected health information can now provide context across ChatGPT conversations rather than being limited to the dedicated Health section. ChatGPT asks for permission by default before accessing the information, while users can also allow it to use connected data automatically in future conversations.

OpenAI said physicians helped develop and test the experience, including its ability to explain complex health information, request missing context and recognise situations in which professional medical support may be necessary. The company cautioned that ChatGPT can still make mistakes and is intended to support, rather than replace, qualified medical care.

OpenAI says it does not use connected medical records and Apple Health information, along with conversations that use that data, to train its foundation models or target advertising. Users can disconnect a source at any time, after which synced information is scheduled for deletion from OpenAI’s systems within 30 days. Information already included in conversation history remains until the relevant chats are deleted.

The rollout is beginning with logged-in users aged 18 and over in the United States across Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans on web and iOS. Connecting Apple Health requires an iOS device.

Why does it matter?

Linking a general-purpose AI assistant to medical records and wearable data could make health information easier to navigate. Still, it also increases the importance of informed consent, data security and reliable responses.

The rollout will test whether permission controls, transparent limitations and secure handling of sensitive information can keep pace as consumer AI services become more personalised and gain access to longitudinal health data.

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